I AM + Swirly Gold = Choosing to Being Who You Really Are

I AM are two of the most powerful words in our language. Choosing an I AM can be a decision that can change your life.


In his highly acclaimed book (and a favorite of all 3 of my children—who rarely agree on anything), The Dot, author Peter H. Reynolds encourages readers to “just make a mark and see where it takes you.” The protagonist, Vashti, has decided she’s not an artist.

Have you ever kept a door closed without trying to open it? Have you ever focused on what you’re NOT instead of discovering your next I AM? Have you ever discovered in I AM only to abandon it because you’re not DOING it enough or HAVING enough success at it?

Everything changes for Vashti when her teacher wisely asks her to do something that’s within her ability (draw a dot and sign it). Upon seeing her dot framed in “swirly gold,” Vashti decides that she “can make a better dot than THAT,” and with that once choice, she chooses to BE an artist. There’s no promise it will work out; she’s just deciding to give it a try. She gets to work painting, experimenting, creating and makes many beautiful dots in a process that form her new I AM—an artist.

The thing is, Vashti didn’t know she was an artist until she gave it a go. While we all might not have wonderful teachers to frame our dots in swirly gold, we can do that for ourselves. When you decide on an I AM (for example, I AM a writer), then you give yourself permission to DO that which you decided you are BEING. Ultimately, you will HAVE the experience of BEING an artist. There is no minimum requirement of DOING to be your I AM—it’s a decision. You can be a writer even if you haven’t written in months or years … or ever! Vashti became an artist when she decided to start painting.

Just as Vashti made a “quite a splash” at the school art show where her many dots were on display, you have to have your own art show. You have to add your own swirly gold. In your mind or in a journal, “display” everything you’ve done in pursuit of your I AM and then really acknowledge everything you’ve done and allow yourself to soak in the joy of it. Maybe not all of it was enjoyable, maybe there were some failures along the way, but just acknowledge what did work. What felt good. What you loved. In your I AM as a writer, your display may include reading a book in your genre, thinking about your manuscript on a walk, and providing a critique to a fellow writer. By taking an inventory (there’s often more there than you think!) and allowing yourself to feel good about your accomplishments, you recognize (and acknowledge) these actions as part of your I AM, and you’re doing the important work of framing your thoughts, feelings and actions in swirly gold.

Vashti the student and artist becomes the teacher by encouraging a fellow student to draw a line and discover his inner I AM. Acknowledging, encouraging, and helping others to be their own I AM is as affirming to your inner I AM as anything else you may be DOING and HAVING in pursuit of your I AM.

How do you know if an interest of yours could be one of your I AMs? You’ll never know unless you try and have the experience of BEING, DOING and HAVING. Once you’ve had the experience, then you’ll know it’s an I AM when your answer to the question why becomes circular because DOING what you love is simply BEING who you are. Why AM I a writer? When you answer, “I write because I AM a writer,” then you’ll know what you’ve decided.

So what magic’s hiding inside your “never-before-used set of watercolors”? You’ll never know unless you open it up, mix, paint, and experiment.

Go ahead … make a splash!